Sustainable Disaster Response (SDR) flow chart

SDR flow chart

The Sustainable Disaster Response (SDR) proposal was created for the 2009 Buckminster Fuller Challenge as a collaborative model for responding to disasters with the use of off grid renewable energy and sustainable building practices. This flow chart depicts the actions to be taken in a step by step process to engage the local victims of the disaster to step up and be part of the rebuilding process. This was created with the collaborative input of Eric Klein from Can-do, Alissa Sears from christie communications, Simon Draper of Habitat for Artists, Raj Patel ARUP engineering, Mark Palmer, and Scott Gibson of Ecopioneer who organized the collaboration.

The final update for the challenge was jan 8th, since then the tragedy of Haiti happened and Eric Klein from Can-do.org has been in Haiti since the 17th.
(currently you can make a $250 donation which puts money in the hands of haitians and 1,200 gallons of water on the street) http://www.can-do.org/virtualvolunteer/haiti/

As a response to haiti we are attempting to implement what we can of this proposal amidst the chaos. Currently Sun Ovens, ARUP engineering, SEI's invest program, and the Idea Index are exploring the possibilities of creating a SDR inspired refugee camp model with a focus on orphanages as a test pilot program.

SDR is based on Buckminster Fuller's 4 point synergy model to organize collaborations between companies and individuals. One advantage of a 4 point model is the direct connection that each point or department has to every other point, theoretically this will increase the synergy between groups. The first two collaborations from the challenge are listed and described, they are; The Shared Relief Network (SRN) and Beta Sheds.Ecopioneer equipment in a SDR disaster response: shows how gear would be organized in a response with Alpha tent command center and remote satellites established and maintained by bike.

Since Ecopioneer's beginning in support of medical and transition areas at adventure races like Primal Quest 2006 in Moab, and Baja Travesia, the equipment has always been establishing remote capabilities with renewable energy solutions. The expansion from manpackable to vehicle based solutions is expanding the capabilities and resources of what can be powered, to the point now where we can seriously attempt to help in the wake of a disaster. However what is available on the market to accomplish this task seldom meets the demands of transportation; light weight, durable, and high efficiency.
Therefore what we are left with is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done not only in education but also in implementation. We currently have to take what has been produced for permanent architectural solutions and adapt that, as possible with the assistance of manufacturers, to come to the assistance of re-establishing communities in the wake of a disaster. For within sustainable living and off grid renewable energy solutions lies a greater independence which is simultaneously increased disaster preparedness which will some day help mitigate the effects of a disaster.

The timing of the Haiti earthquake coming only 4 days after this proposal was submitted to the Buckminster Fuller Challenge is a strange twist of fate. I am glad I finally put to planning where I saw the opportunity for Ecopioneers work to go. The Buckminster Fuller Challenge established such an amazing curriculum that it forced us to work out the best viable and implementable program possible. Without that exercise over the last 3 months SDR would still be little more than an idea and without the growing support we are experiencing on a weekly basis.

The scope of Haiti is still unfolding, the story of SDR is just getting started, and the dress rehersal has begun.